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EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2019

Brad Keywell startupist and philanthropist from the United States named EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2019.

Brad Keywell, CEO of US-based Uptake Technologies, Inc., was named EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2019 at an award ceremony held in Monaco’s Salle des Etoiles. Brad was selected from among 761 program participants that included the 57 country winners from 47 countries and territories vying for the title in Monaco. In the program’s 19-year history, Brad becomes the third EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winner from the United States. He follows former US world title winners Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc., who won the award in 2013, and Wayne Huizenga of Huizenga Holdings, Inc., in 2005.

Brad, 49, founded Uptake Technologies, Inc., a predictive analytics software provider, in 2014 after successfully founding six companies, including Groupon, which collectively created value of over US$6b. Since its inception, Uptake Technologies, Inc. has grown from 50 people to 750 and become the fastest start-up to reach a US$2b valuation. The company now works with dozens of industrial businesses to improve productivity and efficiency by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to create business value from operational data.

“The judging panel is honored to award Brad this year’s title. The judging panel was struck, not only by the remarkable value creation through each of the ventures of which he was the founder, but also his strong desire to break the mold and provide backing to the next generation of entrepreneurs that are coming through,” says Jim Nixon, Chairman and CEO of Nixon Energy Investments and Co-Chair of the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year judging panel.

“Entrepreneurship is not just about being a mold-breaker — it’s also about being a mold-maker and finding a more intuitive and direct path to where you want to be. The revolution in data collection and predictive insight to disrupt global industries is only just beginning. As an entrepreneur in this emerging and inevitable space, I’m in the mindset of delivering to create long-term sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing economic and social challenges. I’m truly humbled to be recognized in this way,” says Brad Keywell, CEO, Uptake Technologies, Inc.

“It's a truly amazing experience. It was a great honour for us to represent the Czech Republic in the world finals of a competition that helps promote successful stories and inspire other entrepreneurs and the general public. We would like to thank EY for its excellent organization of the event,” said Czech competition winners Radka Prokopová and František Fabičovic of the company Alca plast, s.r.o., holders of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 Czech Republic title, of their immediate impressions.

“The Czech Republic was represented by partners in business and marriage Radka Prokopová and František Fabičovic, whose company Alca plast supplies sanitary technology to the entire world, at this year’s worldwide final of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year competition. These partners in business and in life impressed the international judging panel most of all with their conscientious approach to the development of their business and to the entire field on foreign markets and their lifelong effort to create a good name for Czech products in the world,” says Magdalena Souček, EY Managing Partner for the Czech Republic and the Central and Southeast Europe region. “We congratulate the winner Brad Keywell, a major contributor to the world of innovation. His start-up Uptake Technologies supplies advanced analytical software for artificial intelligence, helping a number of industrial enterprises to increase the productivity and efficiency of the production process. However, his technology also helps address social issues. It uses data analytics in Nepal, for example, to identify human trafficking and help the competent institutions intervene in a timely manner.”

About Brad Keywell and Uptake Technologies, Inc.

The idea for Uptake Technologies, Inc. came about when Brad went to pick up his daughter from the airport, only to find the flight delayed because the airline didn’t have the right part at the right time. With Brad’s background in technology, he believed this was a problem that could be easily resolved and he set about finding a solution.

Uptake now works with dozens of industrial businesses to help them determine when a piece of equipment is not performing well or about to break down. It analyzes data from sensors on industrial machinery and equipment and then uses data-science models to predict problems before they occur. The software can save companies millions of dollars by enabling them to look after their machinery better.

Uptake is also using its platform to solve social issues. For example, on the Nepal border, organizations are using the company’s data analytics to recognize human-trafficking patterns and intervene earlier.

Brad ensures a continuous culture of innovation at the company and this fuels his ability to attract top talent and encourage continuous learning, including launching Uptake U, an in-house education and development program accessible by all employees.

Brad’s stewardship mindset leverages the success in his business ventures to create purpose and opportunity for his family, employees, local community and future entrepreneurs. In 2014, Brad and his wife, Kim, created the Keywell Foundation to support disruptive social entrepreneurs and provide charitable donations to a variety of non-profit and non-governmental organizations (NGO), focusing on education, global female empowerment and access to opportunity. In 2016, they signed The Giving Pledge, committing the majority of their wealth to philanthropy and giving back.

Brad is also the founder of Chicago Ideas Week, which has grown into one of the largest ideas gatherings in the world. He is the founder of Future Founders, a non-profit providing entrepreneurial education and inspiration to inner-city youth. Brad created and is curator of the wndr museum, presenting emerging interactive art alongside works by iconic contemporary masters. He also is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago.

About the judging panel

The independent judging panel was co-chaired by Jim Nixon of Nixon Energy Investments and Manny Stul of Moose Enterprise Holdings & Controlled Entities. Joining him were:

1. Rosaleen Blair, CBE of Alexander Mann Solutions
2. Bernadette Ruth Irawati Setiady of Kalbe Farma
3. Frank M. Jaehnert of Brady Corporation

Broadcast coverage, an interview with the winner and high-resolution photography is available here to download for broadcast and online use.

Event photography is available at www.ey.com/weoy/eventphotos.